DNA
Created by Kristina Watt Villegas | Produced by 100 Watt Productions | Origin: Ottawa, Canada
LabO
Show Details
A street. A field. A wood.
A choice. And another. And– “Maybe we should do nothing…” Mark. Jan. Leah. Phil. John Tate. Lou. Richard. Cathy. Brian. Adam.
“What’s more important, one person or everyone?”How far will you go in order to belong?
“Are you happy? No, don’t answer that.”
Content Notes
- Mental health: the show involves bullying.
- Violence: the show includes emotional and subtle physical violence.
- Abrupt loud noise: potential discordant chords.
- Mature language: some profanity.
- Sexual content: dialogue, one mention of the sex life of bonobos.
Showtimes
- Friday, June 138:00pm
- Saturday, June 142:30pm
- Tuesday, June 177:00pm
- Thursday, June 1910:00pm
- Saturday, June 212:30pm
- Sunday, June 226:00pm
DNA: a cautionary–and comedic–tale with a big dark heart.
ARTISTIC TEAM
Playwright: Dennis Kelly
Director: Kristina Watt Villegas
Performers: the 100 Watt Youth Ensemble (Sébastien Cimpaye, Brianna Lortie-Chartrand, Taiya Peckham, Jax Young, Sofia Henson-Preibisch, Kat Derikx, William Mann, Sophie Dean, Gray Inouye)
Stage Manager: Emily Fink-Jensen
Assistant Stage Manager: Leila Asselin
Sound Designer/Composer: William Mann, with Kristina and Emily
Lighting Designer: Emily Fink-Jensen
Costume Designer: Sofia Henson-Preibisch and Ensemble
DNA Poster Artist: Sophie Dean
100 Watt Productions offers theatre that questions our relationship with the planet and with each other. In collaboration between youth and professionals, productions illuminate the hopes, fears and questions of youth to audiences across generations.
For more info, how to get involved or to support, go to https://100wattproductions.com/
With this production of DNA and its story, 100 Watt Productions is honoured to support Kids Help Phone (KPH) and to shine light on Canada’s only 24/7, free, confidential, and multilingual e-mental health solution for young people to Feel Out Loud and access support whenever they need it most.
For support: call 1-800-668-6868 | chat KidsHelpPhone.ca | text TALK to 686868 (youth) or WELLNESS to 741741 (adults)
GRACIAS
We would like to thank and acknowledge the generosity of the Great Canadian Theatre Company, where the 100 Watt Youth Ensemble are Resident Artists; the University of Ottawa Department of Theatre; Bruce Young, and all of the families who entrust Kristina to collaborate and grow with their youth.
AUDIENCE AND MEDIA RESPONSES
DNA at Ottawa Fringe 2025
“PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do yourself a favor and see DNA while you have the chance! Kristina is an exceptional director working with incredibly talented young actors in a phenomenal play!”
–Cullen McGrail, AD of Fresh Meat Festival, playwright and actor
“Left me breathless! Wild ride of a show with a very talented Ensemble!”
–Borzoid Theatre
“Very impressive atmosphere and in awe of the Ensemble! Extremely high energy and a strong focus on touchy material.”
–Euan Wheaton
“DNA is my number one pick at Fringe this year. I REALLY loved the show. I kept leaning over to the folks next to me during the performance whispering: Oh wow, Kristina needs to direct more. The work she did to elevate those young artists was stunning. It felt like she gave them the rigour and courage they needed to truly defend great theatre. Alsoooo that script! What a choice. Thank you for exposing them (and us!) to it, 100 Watt Productions!”
–Dillon Orr, Artistic and Executive Director, Creations In Vivo (Ottawa)
“I had a blast, laughed a lot. What a talented group of performers.”
–Mary Ellen MacLean, performer, creator, director and producer
“Go see this incredible show!”
–Sara Bruton
“Caught 100 Watt Productions’ show tonight! Love ensemble theatre!!”
–Murph Hickey (Dead Siblings Society)
“Incredible work by an incredible Ensemble!”
–Shauna Akkermans
“That show was incredible. Bravo to Kristina and the talented cast!”
–Seona Lewis
7 responses to “DNA”
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Extremely powerful work that is handled with gravitas and a gentleness that is becoming synonymous with this ensemble. Impressive job to the cast for being able to create concrete, defined, and sympathetic characters while still working so well to present an ensemble piece and support each other. Each performer has a shining moment in this piece- and this cast uses every bit of that to enhance the story they are collectively telling. Commanding performances, a dark humor to navigate complex themes, and a strong leadership makes this show a must-see on folks’ Fringe Bingo card! Run, don’t walk (but not over a grate on top of a deep shaft 😬), to see this!
And also you’ll learn a lot about Bonobos! 🐵
Je tiens à souligner le travail évident de ces jeunes interprètes qui incarnent leurs personnages avec une habileté impressionnante!
I have seen a lot of theatre in my life and rarely a work this powerful and masterly performed. Bravo! Don’t miss this show!
I was absolutely blown away by the talent displayed at DNA by 100 Watt Productions. Not only were the actors masters of timing, they projected beautifully throughout a huge theatre and filled a very difficult script with emotion and depth. The stagecraft was equally astounding, sound cues, light cues, set blocking and prop work going off without a hitch. The leadership, talent and passion that creator/Director Kristina Watt Villegas proudly displays on this stage is legendary. Do not be misguided by the fact that this is a young ensemble, this show carries weight, wisdom and power that even the most seasoned artist could miss.
As a past student of Kristina, I would be amiss not to mention that the compassion and guidance that she works through helped lead me on the creative path that I am on today, and I can’t be more grateful. I’m positive these students will have a very similar experience.
See DNA.
I went to see DNA last night and was absolutely blow away by the play, the performances on stage and the beautiful direction of this show. It was touching and unnerving and moved me incredibly so. I am amazed by what Kristina and the 100 Watt ensemble created, yet again. Thank you for last nights theatre and for telling courageous stories with such precision and thought, you are all such a wonderful part of the Ottawa theatre community.
DNA is a spectacular stylized horror that captivated me from moment one. Each actor was compelling and the parasocial dynamics were rich and thrilling. I look forward to seeing more from the ensemble on more stages
Exceptional acting from a group of young actors, brilliant direction, and excellent design.